Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Blog Post #2 - Hard times in Aleppo, Syria


          For some time now, Syria has been in a devastated state both physically and economically. Much of this is, in part, due to the political corruption and unstable governing system that is currently in place in Syria. Over the past 2 years or so, the conflict in Syria between the rebel Free Syrian Army and President Bashar al-Assad's armed forces has shown much development. While many Syrians first agreed that the civil war was justified, the country's economy is now seeing major repercussions. With employment rates dropping and inflation skyrocketing, many citizens are forced to scavenge for food and resources to support their families. Although quite extreme, it is not hard to believe these circumstances are true when you realize that a “pack of bread that cost 20 Syrian pounds before the revolution and now costs 200”. Even when actual battles are not waging, people still hurt.

          Aggressive large scale attacks have ceased for the time being, yet anger and suffering are still evident. Currently, the Free Syrian Army controls a number of areas within the largest Syrian city of Aleppo. Undoubtably, the FSA rebels have reached part of their goal in taking control of some of Syria's major cities, as well as overpowering government forces. They have failed overall however as they possess little to no monetary funds and lack any type of organization. As a result, basic needs and services are unable to be provided to those under FSA jurisdiction. With countless citizens now jobless and homeless, a great deal of blame is being put on the Free Syrian Army by the Syrians who have been negatively affected. 


-Ben Heitmann

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